The authors, Troy and Barb Muilenburg along with athletes from Ellsworth Community College visited elementary schools in Iowa to share the love of reading, writing and drawing! The authors read “Silly Zoo Is All I Can Say” to the children and shared fun facts about zoo animals. The authors created a “Write Your Way” program that the athletes were able to inspire the students with. It was so awesome to have the children draw, write and read THEIR way as worked together to create their own animal story!

We are celebrating the New Year by offering the 2016 Award Winning Children’s book, “Mommy Loves Baby” for FREE thru iBooks. Soothe your little one to sleep with this book.
Just search iBooks on your iPhone or iPad for “Mommy Loves Baby”, and there it is, Free.

This endearing lullaby book will also be complimentary on Kobo and Barnes and Noble for a limited time.

Review – Mommy Loves Baby, and baby will LOVE this book! From the sweet animal families on the wipe-clean pages to the simple but charming text, everything about this little book is baby-friendly. Expect dimpled smiles and pudgy hands clapping to hear it read again and again. It’s a winner!– Lisa Kay Hauser, National Award-Winning Children’s Author and Editor

Free “Mommy Love Baby” eBook, just in time for the Holidays. Read this book to your little one tonight and by the way if you use your little one’s name while you read, it will be a book changer!!
Books will be free on iBook’s, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble for a limited time, so get yours and share with a friend. Just download to unwrap!
If you are looking for your very own “Mommy Loves Baby” board book, find your local book store or check out or website http://curtischristinepress.com/wp/shop/
Happy Holidays from Curtis Christine Press.

Sometimes better late is sometimes just that, better. I have never really been one to go out and get the Xmas presents months ahead of time. It sounds like a great idea. But still, to find the time and actually know what the kids want at that point is simply impossible. It seems that Christmas lists are ever changing and have a mind of their own. I cannot tell you how many times over the years that I have actually purchased a gift only to find out that it is not on the Christmas list anymore. You think there may some things you can get early that should be a sure thing, but even with shoes, clothes, and games the kids can have a change of heart, and in many cases grow out of them before they get a chance to unwrap them!

More often than not, my procrastination has turned out to be the smart move. I am able to get shoes and clothes that they like and fit right now. Sure, sometimes it is too late to find the more popular gifts like the “Tickle Me Elmo” or this year’s “Pie Face” game, but other things do come along and sometimes are even better because it is a surprise. You do find something that they really like and it is not on the list.

Do you still have a gift or two find?

There is still plenty of time out there for those of us who may have a gift or two to find. So here is a short list of ideas for the kid in all of us: A favorite movie on DVD or online, hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, a daily journal or notebook, nice socks, action figures, a handy flashlight, a nice picture with a frame, a board game, or a water bottle. A favorite for parents and children alike could be new book or in this case an ebook like Mommy Loves Baby or Silly Zoo Is All I Can Say…both now available as an ebook and an Ibook. These are two books that both the child and the parent will enjoy to together.

Barb and Troy will be appearing…live…at the Robert W. Barlow Memorial Library in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Come join them on Thursday, July 30th at 10:30 am. Monte the Monkey (stuffed animal) will be joining them because like all good little girls and boys he loves story time!

Mommy Loves Baby and Silly Zoo Is All I Can Say are the books the authors will be reading and sharing with the children. After the children hear the stories they will go home with activities and coloring sheets related with zoo animals.

If you are in the Iowa Falls area please join us and bring a few friends! For more information, call the Robert W. Barlow Library at 641.648.2872.

As we get closer to releasing our latest title, Silly Zoo is All I Can Say, we cannot help but think about how it has brought back so many memories of our visits to the Zoo with our children. We have had so many wonderful experiences at the zoo that it was not possible to include them all in the book. We are sure, though, that you and your children will be reminded of your own memories of a time at the Zoo when a funny animal did that crazy thing right in front of you.

How Silly Zoo came to life with illustrations telling part of the story

Our zoo story has been sitting idle for years just waiting for the right person to come along and tell the story with pictures. The whole process developed quickly over the past few months, as Len DiSalvoworked his magic by coming up with some fantastic illustrations. Sometimes Len had a different interpretation of the animals in the story. Understanding his perspective was the fun part because we knew what we envisioned but sometimes you just have to let the artist do his thing. Each time we received an email that contained Len’s new sketches, we waited until we could open them together so that we could measure each other’s reactions to the various sketches. Some sketches were an instant hit, while others needed a tweak or two. Any changes were to let Len know exactly what we were thinking when we were putting words on paper. What a process! It was an exciting time as with each new email, we were able to see the book take shape. We still laugh at the rhino sketch with the rhino looking at the sign “white rhino” with that puzzled look on his face and question marks!

Silly Zoo has factual information on the animals as well

As the illustrations came together we were also adding facts about the animals for readers to have a chance to learn a little more about their favorite animal. This was a fun, educational experience as we both learned a lot about the different animals. Did you know that a hippo can actually walk on the bottom of the river bed, no bridge necessary here? The strange thing about all the facts for the different animals was that sometimes, very specific facts were actually different from one source to the other. So this naturally led to more research. As far as the activities to add we simply thought about the fun, different things we did with our kids: drawing pictures, word games, and making up stories.

Use Silly Zoo to connect with your little one

The next time you put your children to sleep have them start a story by selecting their favorite zoo animal. Ask them to tell that animal’s story…what they like to do, who their friends are, where their family is and let your child pick where the story goes. Let his imagination go from there.

Our favorite bedtime ritual was to read a short book at bedtime and tell one of our favorite stories. Does your child have a have a favorite bedtime story or book?

Over the years we have taken the kids to see many places and done many adventurous things. Of all the places we have visited, it never fails that the zoo is the one place where the kids can go and just be their silly selves. There are so many animals at the Zoo, doing what they do best – “be themselves.” The things that make animals unique, through a child’s eyes… who am I kidding… even through an adult’s eyes, are such funny sights to see. For example, who can resist a giggle at elephants playing in the water, giraffes getting a drink, and of course, monkeys doing what they do best, entertain us all.

The inspiration behindSilly Zoo Is All I Can Say

It was during these visits to the zoo and the continuous giggling sessions that followed that encouraged us to ask “what was so funny?” The kids would simply answer “what a silly animal!” After stringing together enough visits to the zoo, it was time to put all the experiences on paper. We thought a book would be a great way to showcase all the funny, little things that animals do in one place. Through a book, we can bring those “silly sights” to each and every child in the comfort of their own homes, schools, and libraries.

A great illustrator completed the picture for Silly Zoo

What we needed was someone who could tell our silly story of all of our numerous trips to the zoo through illustrations. After seeing Len DiSalvo’s work in other books, we realized that this would soon become a reality. We talked with Len about the story and our vision of what it could be. Len enjoyed his trip through the zoo and he came up with a series of illustrations that took us back to those moments we had with our kids. And of course when he sent us the Silly Zoo Is All I Can Say cover, we knew that we were on our way to share with everyone a chance to visit the Silly Zoo. Silly Zoo Is All I Can Say, a children’s book for kids aged 4-8will be released and available in May on our website and on Amazon.

I am sure you have had some good times at the Zoo as well. What is your funniest memories of visiting a zoo? What is your favorite zoo animal?

By popular request, prints of Mommy Loves Baby illustrations available

The publishing business has been a enjoyable experience for all of us here at Curtis Christine Press. It is important to us that our customers and fans are happy. We are willing to try new things and take action on your suggestions. For example, we have had several requests for prints of theMommy Loves Baby illustrations which were created by artist, Andrea Dickkut. You have asked and we have responded. We have obtained several prints on a trial basis to find out if they are worthy of a place on your child’s wall.

The free prints offer

While supplies last you will receive a free 8 x 8 print of your favorite Mommy Loves Baby animal page with each book purchased through Curtis Christine Press! We want your feedback on the book and the prints. Share your thoughts on any other products that you may be interested in, too! Comment here or reach out to us on our contact page.

Our next book Silly Zoo Is All I Can Say will be available in late May 2015. It has been crazy-fun putting it all together, but you will hear more about that soon.

“Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. “- Calvin Coolidge in Chicken Soup for the Soul

Curtis Christine Press www.curtischristinepress.com is dedicated to publishing children’s books that enrich the lives of children and their families. Troy and Barb Muilenburg passionately started this company after realizing the important role quality children’s books played in their family’s enjoyment of life. Reading to your children is such an important step in raising your children. [Read more…]